Disney Fantasy Review - June 30-July 7, 2012

[texasgirl29]

This is the first installment of my Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean trip report. We are a family of four – JoAnn, 56; Paul, 49; Rachel, 12 year old; and Stephanie, 15 years old. We were travelling with Paul’s mom, dad and brother. This is the second Disney cruise for Paul and me, the first was 2005 on the Magic. The girls have been on the Magic twice before.

 

Saturday, June 30, 2012

The four of us drove to Port Canaveral after a three-day stay at Disney World Port Orleans French Quarter resort.

 

 

 

Check-in was a little hectic. About noon, we left our suitcases with the porter outside the cruise terminal while my husband parked the car in the garage ($120 fee). The girls and I went to check in with our completed documents and passports. As we had sailed with Disney previously, we were in the Silver Castaway Club line, and after check in were each given Silver Castaway Club lanyards. We had a boarding number, but the announcement came on almost immediately that everyone could board. We all crowded into the passageway and shuffled toward the ship.

 

In the atrium, we were asked our name and announced. I knew this was coming from what I had read on Cruise Critic and Disboards but when they actually did it, I thought, how silly is this? People were streaming in, there was noise everywhere and no one was paying attention to the welcome announcement.

 

We went up to Cabanas for a quick lunch. VERY CROWDED! I was concerned it would always be this way but actually was never this crowded except the first day. I do have to wonder, though, why did the designers think it was a good idea to have pool access from the Aft elevator only through the buffet?

 

Our cabin was on Deck 6 but when we got to our deck, the hallways were roped off with a sign that the rooms would be ready at 1:30. They were actually not ready until about 1:45, meanwhile the area in front of the entrance to the hallways got more and more crowded.

 

But we did find our room, 6146 Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, and most of our luggage. We met our room steward, Conrad, from the Philippines, very briefly. I took out the magnets I made for our door (thank you, Disboards friends!). The Key to the World card can be swiped to unlock your door, you don’t even have to take it out of the plastic holder.

 

 

Paul’s parents had cabin 8583, a standard inside stateroom. Since they were sharing with their son (adult with developmental delays), they found it too be a bit confining.

 

We walked around the ship exploring everything. Our 12 year old daughter loved the Edge space for pre-teens. It was impressive in its coolness factor, nestled into the aft funnel. Rachel quickly made friends and spent every moment she could in the Edge. We also went to Vibe, located at the front of the ship, for teens. Smoothie bar, giant video screen and lots of big cushions and seats for lounging, little pods for relaxing with your iPod, smoothie bar. Even a private deck and pool. Unfortunately, that was the last time Stephanie would step foot in Vibe as she is very reserved and shy.

 

 

The atrium was decked out in red, white and blue bunting for the Fourth of July. It’s even more beautiful than in the photos. The carpet and marble floor on the sides have gorgeous peacock feather details. There is so much beautiful marble on this ship I know know how it stays afloat!

 

 

 

to be continued

[texasgirl29]

At 2 p.m. we hurried down for the Walking Ship Tour with Brad. We met at Preludes, near the Walt Disney Theater, and he showed us around the entertainment areas mostly. At each stop, more and more people gathered. It was a good introduction to the ship.

 

 

 

At 4 we had the mandatory lifeboat drill. We did not have to bring our life vests, but we did report to our actual mustering station, which was noted on our Key to the World Card with a capital letter. At the station, we were instructed to line up as a family, smallest in front. The muster station officer checked us in electronically and then demonstrated the life vest.

 

 

After the drill, we went to Deck 11 for the Sail Away. Lots of people dancing and just ready to have a good time. The ship’s whistle “When You Wish Upon a Star” is just one of seven whistles they can do.

 

 

We had first seating dinner at 5:45. Our Key to the World card annotates the dining room rotation: ERAERAE in case you forget. Our first dinner was at Enchanted Garden.

 

 

 

 

We had a table for seven at the edge of the dining room next to a large porthole. Our waiters were Tiziana from Italy and her assistant Camille from Trinidad.

 

 

 

 

 

My impression of the dining rooms was they were very attractive but too big and consequently very noisy. Instead of round tables where one can speak to all people at the table, we were seated at a rectangular table and it was not possible for someone on the end of the table to speak to someone at the other end. This was not only the distance but it was noisy. The waiters had a hard time getting around.

 

 

 

We enjoyed the dinner selections. I tried to take photos of everything I ate (I know, food porn!) so I could report back. Even my 15 year old, who has almost always eaten mac and cheese or fettuccine on cruises was tempted to try the regular adult fare.

 

 

Lobster ravioli appetizer

 

salad

 

 

pork tenderloin

 

“sweet temptations” trio, a variation of which was served every night

 

After dinner, we went to the Walt Disney Theater for the Welcome Aboard Show. The theater is just beautiful. All the glamour and majesty of a classic Broadway theater with incredible technology. The welcome show was a little bit of everything, including a few minutes with the juggler Michael Holly. The few minutes he performed in this show was side-splittingly funny (funnier than the time he headlined, I thought). The storyline is a family with two teenagers spending a week on the Fantasy. Mom and Dad have some couple time; kids have a blast meeting new friends. Don’t miss it!

After the show, we stopped in at the D Lounge (the family lounge) for “Mirror, Mirror” with a couple of the Entertainment staff (and Dopey) MC’ing some crazy relay races involving singing, dressing up like dwarfs and running around the room. The staff was really funny, even the adults enjoyed it.

 

to be continued

[Ellanora]

Oooh fantastic! Disney Fantasy Eastern is at the top of my wish list. Keep the food porn coming! :p

[texasgirl29]

Cabanas was much less crowded at breakfast. Better to appreciate the gorgeous mosaic with the characters from Nemo.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie, Paul and I hurried off to the D Lounge to learn to draw in the “Disney Animation: Creating a Character”. The hostess first showed a quick montage of clips from 50 animated movies, beginning with Steamboat Willie. Step by step, she showed us how to draw Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

Our next activity was watching The Muppets in the beautiful Buena Vista Theatre. Most of the adults got the self-deprecating humor about the Muppet has-beens.

 

 

 

Lunch at Cabanas then the Juggling Workshop with Michael Holly. Stephanie and I had seen him in the Welcome show the night before and couldn’t wait for Paul to see him. But this time he was all seriousness as he passed out balls and told us to toss them in a figure 8 pattern.

 

 

 

At 3:00 p.m., we joined Pierre-Luc for Art of the Theme Show Tour. This was truly a highlight for me. I almost didn’t go because we had already done the walking tour, but Pierre-Luc walked us all over the ship pointing out the motifs and little-known details. Such as, there are many references to 688 – the number the Fantasy was referred to while in the design and ship building stage. The atrium’s Art Nouveau use of peacock symbols and colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were able to go into Remy and Pierre-Luc pointed out all the rats. Who knew rats were so upscale? As we passed by the bathrooms in the Europa corridor, we peeked in at the flamingo dancer mosaics in the ladies’ room, and the bullfighters in the men’s room. Be sure to go on this tour!

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner at the Royal Court next. My favorite detail was the carriage bread basket. Again, a beautiful space with princess mosaics and gorgeous flooring. But too cramped and too noisy. Our waiters could hardly squeeze through to take orders from the people at the end of the table. This was “formal night” and all I can say is don’t sweat it. We saw everything from gorgeous gowns to golf shirts and shorts.

 

 

After dinner, we saw Aladdin at the Walt Disney Theater. I admit I have never watched the movie but the song, “A Whole New World” is one of my favorites. The production was lavish, although distilled down to 45 minutes. Sets, trap doors, over-the-top blue Genie and the fabulous magic carpet ride.

 

 

 

Paul and I attempted to see juggler/comedian Michael Holly in the Tube at 10:15 but it was packed. Instead we went next door to the Skylines bar and watched as the cityscapes changed.

 

 

 

 

To be continued....

[Host Mick]

Oooh fantastic! Disney Fantasy Eastern is at the top of my wish list. Keep the food porn coming! :p

 

"Porn" makes it through but "Spiderman" gets blocked, go figure.

[acceber32]

Enjoying the review so far!! Thanks, can't wait to read more. We sail the Fantasy in less than two months!!

[yarlenna]

Our cruise is not until next - so I am enjoying a fix.

[Ellanora]

"Porn" makes it through but "Spiderman" gets blocked, go figure.

 

Heh, that didn't even occur to me. :D

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review so far, great photo's.

[proudmommyof2]

Love your review so far! We are currently booked for our 1st cruise on the Dream in April 2013, but I am hoping to convince hubby to change to the Fantasy!

[texasgirl29]

Another day at sea, and another day filled with activities. Since I’m an early riser, I got up and got dressed so I could have some quiet time on Deck 11 with a cup of coffee. I tramped through the Cabanas (again, why is the only access to the pool area through the buffet restaurant?), got coffee and went on deck. The Funnel Vision was already going (loudly) although the only people on deck were the crew members setting up deck chairs. The adult pool areas were quiet, though, with a few people and crew members milling about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took my coffee to Satellite Falls where it was very quiet.

 

 

 

 

 

When the family got up, we had breakfast at Cabanas, sitting on the outside. Nothing like dining al fresco.

 

 

Next, we went to see the Avengers in 3D. I’m not normally an action movie person, but what the heck, so I went along. Still not a fan but I’m sure others loved it. The theater is certainly equipped for optimal 3D viewing and Dolby sound.

 

 

Lunch at Cabanas and then it was time to suit up and try out the AquaDuck! My 15 year old and I climbed the stairs with some rather loud and obnoxious teens behind us (they even said, “Boy, I bet we’re really annoying people.”) There’s an outside set of stairs, and the wind was really strong. The line then moves inside. The wait said 45 minutes but I don’t think it was more than 20 at most.

 

 

 

The ride was fun and faster than I thought it would be from the videos I’ve seen. Not scary at all. Smile for the camera, though. Not only does it take your photo, somehow it matches you up with facial recognition and assigns it to your cabin number for viewing.

 

 

 

I might as well talk about Shutters now. Shutters has really organized and streamlined the photo process. Good in some ways – you can scan your Key to the World card and your photos appear on the screen. You can also see your photos in your personal portfolio kept in bookcases on Deck 5 outside of Shutters. What disappoints me, and makes me uninspired to buy photos is there are very few displayed on racks as on other ships. We purchased no photos on this cruise.

 

 

 

Stephanie and I went to the Midship Detective Agency desk to sign up for the clue game. It’s very clever, you get a card with your number assigned to it, and it remembers where you have been, so your answer is not the same as the guy in line with you. But…. It’s no fun waiting in line for your chance to have your card scanned by the artwork, and every time we wanted to do it, there was a line of kids and parents.

 

 

 

Earlier in the morning, the captain announced there would be an emergency Medivac from the bow of ship about 4:30. Everyone began lining up to see. The Coast Guard helicopter came out from Puerto Rico and circled the ship twice. He could not land, but hovered over the port side. He dropped a rescue personnel, then a basket.

 

 

 

 

 

I read on the Disboards that the rescue was a crew member with external injuries.

 

 

 

To be continued

[texasgirl29]

Tonight's dinner was at Animator’s Palette. This is totally redesigned from the classic ships, and it’s a very fun atmosphere. I loved the décor, the dishes with the brush-shaped butter knife, we even had an oval shaped table so we could talk to everyone.

 

 

 

We were table 111.

 

 

butternut soup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But…. And you knew there was a but…. The first night featured Crush, the talking surfer dude turtle. He interacted with people seated at the table, but after five minutes of “totallllly, DUDE!!!!” I was so over it.

 

 

 

 

 

At the Walt Disney Theater after dinner, we saw “Wishes,” the play about three high school seniors going to Disneyland for the last time before college. Their story loosely ties together Disney movie musical numbers including the Jungle Book, Mulan and Lilo and Stitch. I loved the musical numbers, the sets, the songs. (Could have done without the teenager storyline that tied it together.)

 

 

 

To be continued

[eleclips]

I was on the same cruise and the ship was all that and more. A couple of points. If you don't want to pay $120 to park, Park n Cruise will cost you $50.60 if you make an online reservation and their service is good. You only have to go thru Cabanas to get to the pool if you use the aft elevators. On any cruise ship the buffet is always crowed during embarkation as there is nowhere else to go and 1:30 is standard for getting your cabin. Fantasy's dining rooms are no larger than on any other ship and as they are three separate rooms they are not as noisy as a lot of the three deck open dining rooms on most ships. I don't know if Palo's was visited, but I highly recommend it. We went twice, fabulous.

PS The Cruise Director told a passenger later that the crew member who was airlifted was doing well.

[eleclips]

Our cabin. :)

[texasgirl29]

I was on the same cruise and the ship was all that and more. A couple of points. If you don't want to pay $120 to park, Park n Cruise will cost you $50.60 if you make an online reservation and their service is good. You only have to go thru Cabanas to get to the pool if you use the aft elevators. On any cruise ship the buffet is always crowed during embarkation as there is nowhere else to go and 1:30 is standard for getting your cabin. Fantasy's dining rooms are no larger than on any other ship and as they are three separate rooms they are not as noisy as a lot of the three deck open dining rooms on most ships. I don't know if Palo's was visited, but I highly recommend it. We went twice, fabulous.

PS The Cruise Director told a passenger later that the crew member who was airlifted was doing well.

 

Our cabin was very close to the Aft elevators, so naturally we used them. I still think that's a poor design. I did say the buffet was not crowded after the embarkation. These are my impressions as they happened. Overall our cruise was great, but my review is just that --

 

We've been on the Disney Magic and Island Princess -- the dining rooms are not nearly as noisy. Or as crowded.

 

Yes, we went to Palo's and it was very nice. Half empty, too.

[texasgirl29]

We arrived in St. Maartin, the Dutch side of the Island.

 

 

 

 

Our tour group met in D Lounge and we were met at the pier by our tour guide and bus.

 

 

 

 

 

We were doing the Island Drive and Explorer Cruise. We drove through St. Phillipsburg and learned that the island had changed hands many times, the commodity that caused all the drama was SALT. We drove past the monument to the salt workers, then past many businesses and fast food joints on our way to the boat. The Explorer boat is a two-deck cruiser that took us across the harbor to the French side and the town of Marigot. Along the way we passed by many yachts, although our guide told us it was technically hurricane season, so most of the yachts had left the area. There were also abandoned ships rotting on the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had about an hour in Marigot. It was very hot! We walked a bit through the town, looked in the shop windows and had a baguette at a French bakery – so good it didn’t even need butter!

 

 

We went back to the ship for lunch, then took the water taxi ($6 round trip) to the town of Philipsburg, or "Philly," as our Dutch guide called it.

 

 

 

 

 

I love to visit churches, and the Methodist church really spoke to me with its beautiful island look.

 

 

 

[texasgirl29]

It was back to the Enchanted Garden for Pirates’ Night. Some folks REALLY get into the whole pirate thing! Our waiters and section caption had some fun with it also.

 

 

 

Our table captain, Plamen, with Rachel and Stephanie. (Plamen told us he had a five-day-old baby and would be another five weeks before he could go home.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner, Stephanie and I watched Brave at the Walt Disney Theater. This film is not your typical Princess story, and the Celtic music is beautiful.

 

 

 

 

Pirate night on Deck 11 was fun, although crowded. The live action on the stage was also broadcast on the Funnel Vision screen just above the stage. Jack Sparrow descended from the funnel on a wire and after some swashbuckling, fireworks commenced above our heads. Fun!

 

 

 

 

 

My FIL Dave and my BIL Brian

 

 

to be continued

[texasgirl29]

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

 

 

 

 

We loaded up with sunscreen and headed for our next shore excursion on St. Thomas, Best of St. Thomas.

 

 

 

 

 

We boarded an open air tram that took us up the mountain. The first stop was a scenic overlook with a few vendors and a photo op with a donkey. The heavens opened up and poured water on us for just a moment then the sun came out again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next stop was Peter’s Great House where we saw tropical views.

 

 

Then up higher still to Mountain Top, for another great view and shopping opportunities.

 

All along the way, I loved looking at the homes and the great views.

 

 

To be continued

[beccawes7471]

Loving your report and pics! We are considering the Fantasy in Feb 2013. Our kiddos would be 12 and 3. I'm more concerned about activities, etc for our 12 year old son, I'm sure our 3 year old would be easily entertained:)

[texasgirl29]

Loving your report and pics! We are considering the Fantasy in Feb 2013. Our kiddos would be 12 and 3. I'm more concerned about activities, etc for our 12 year old son, I'm sure our 3 year old would be easily entertained:)

 

I depends on their personalities. Our 12 year old LOVED LOVED LOVED the Edge. Jumped right in and made friends. The 15 year old would rather walk on a bed of hot coals than go to Vibe where she didn't know anyone.

[texasgirl29]

Stephanie was determined to have photos with the princesses, although she was MAJORLY disappointed that Mulan has been moved out of the princess slate to make room for Tiana from the Princess and the Frog, and Merida from Brave.

 

 

 

We were waiting in the Atrium when the Incredible Diaper Dash, hosted by entertainment crew member Tina, began. It was entertaining, mostly due to Tina’s commentary and the hapless babies.

 

 

Once the babies cleared out, the line for the princesses began to form. At 11:00, they came down the great staircase and took their places: Ariel, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White.

 

 

 

 

 

We had some lunch on the deck at Tow Mater Grill, which is close by Eye Scream.

 

 

 

 

 

There are lots of water choices on the Fantasy. Pools for families, pools for adults, pools for teens, and Nemo's for toddlers, and AquaLab for kids, in addition to Aquaduct. Nemo's and AquaLab were never occupied by more than a few kids at a time.

 

 

 

[texasgirl29]

 

We disembarked and took the tram to the beach to stake out a place for the seven of us. Even though there were a lot of bodies on the beach, there seemed to be enough chairs and umbrellas for everyone who wanted one.

 

The girls brought their own snorkeling gear and Paul and I had reserved (and paid for) snorkeling gear. I would not recommend doing this ahead of time. There seems to be more than enough, and we found we really didn't feel like snorkeling ... $50 down the drain.

 

My MIL Norene and and I had reservations for massages. We took the tram and were met by our massage therapists. I followed my therapist, Amy, to an open-air cabana.

 

 

She did a wonderful job. While lying face down on the table, however, it was hot because the breeze from the open window did not reach my face that was smothered in the head rest thingie. It was better once I was on my back and could catch a breeze. If you're heat sensitive, you might want to have your massage in the spa.

 

We re-boarded the ship and got ready for our last evening. Dinner was in the Enchanted Garden and we learned our head waiter, Tiziana, was surprised to learn she was getting shore leave to go back to Italy. The next day. We said our goodbyes all around, lots of hugs. I felt the servers had loosened up over the week -- at first they were very serious, and all about getting food on the table, but they seemed to relax as the week when by. It was Camille's birthday, so the two tables sang to her. She said she did not know who would be her next partner, she would find out the next day.

 

The show that night was the "See Ya Next Time" show and had a little bit of everything we had seen over the week. The show ended with confetti and lots of clapping. The Walt Disney Theater is really a treat -- don't miss a single show!

 

To be continued

[texasgirl29]

The system for disembarkation was pretty simple. We decided to keep our luggage and walk off the ship with it as we each had one suitcase.

 

We were instructed to meet for breakfast at 6:40 (yikes!) at the same restaurant as the last evening. We were reunited once again with our servers, hugs all around again.

 

A quick return to the stateroom to get our bags, brush our teeth and say good bye to our steward, Conrad, who gave us all hugs as well.

 

Having the bags picked up and waiting for you in the terminal didn't save you any time, in fact, I think it added it. If you can handle your own bags, I suggest doing as we did. We threaded our way through Customs, walked over to the parking structure, and we were on our way home.

 

Thank you all for reading!

[vivavegas]

Very nice review! Thank you for sharing!:)

[f1mauro]

Great review, awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!